I am so excited to present my first guest post. Many of you may not realize that I am a mom of 3, and sleeping was always a problem for me. I relied heavily on C-shaped pregnancy pillows during all of my pregnancies (I was not that little pregnant lady). I hope you will find Julia’s article helpful for you or someone you might know. Because every pregnant mama deserves to sleep well while pregnant!
How To Sleep Well While Pregnant
by Julia Jhules
Even though pregnancy is a beautiful part of your life, it can also cause sleeping problems that won’t let you get the rest you need. However, there are some things you can do to help you sleep well until the baby is born.
Quick naps and more exercise
Feeling tired during the first months is very normal, but if you can’t sleep at night, try to nap during the day or whenever you feel like it. However, make sure that your naps are short (not more than half an hour) to avoid feeling more tired afterwards. You can take more naps daily if you feel really tired. Even if you don’t get to sleep, at least you will relax for 30 minutes and that should make you feel better. However, if you are tired but backaches don’t let you sleep, you can use a wedge-shaped pillow to reduce the pressure on your back, or you can exercise more and try relaxation techniques such as stretching or different massages.
No more late-night snacks
Even if you feel hungry, try not to eat or drink anything right before you go to bed. Skipping late-night snacks also ensures you don’t get a reflux that will keep you awake all night. You can choose healthier snacks such as crackers and eat them throughout the day; these will keep your stomach full so that you don’t feel hungry at night.
Comfortable Bed
In order to rest properly, you need a comfortable bed. For this you can choose different types of pillows and use them to alleviate back pains or place them strategically to support your stomach and help you breathe easier. A mattress pad can also be useful if you have muscle pains. Moreover, while you are in bed try not to do any work, such as checking your emails or working on your laptop, as these activities can distract you and keep you awake for a long time. Also, try to avoid reading books, newspapers or watching television before going to bed, as the lights and noises may disturb your sleep. A dark and quiet room is the ideal setting for a good night sleep, so make sure to turn off the lights when you go to bed; artificial light can disturb your natural sleep cycle. If you have too much light during the morning, close your blinds or use blackout curtains.
Proper Temperature
You won’t be able to rest properly in a room that is too warm and stuffy, especially when the pregnancy makes your body heat increase. Too much heat can affect your sleep, so find out which is the best temperature for you to ensure a good sleeping environment.
Proper Sleep Position
The best sleep position during pregnancy is on your left side, as this helps reduce back pains and aids proper breathing. You should avoid lying on your back for too long. One thing you can also try is to engage in a boring activity before bedtime, as this will usually help you fall asleep faster.
*** All opinions and advice are by Julia Juhles. Please refer to her for any questions or problems. This advice is not intended to replace advice from your doctor. So please follow their advice.***
